Hudson Valley

15 Great Places to Trick-or-Treat with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Mon, 10/16/2017 - 4:00pm

Whether it’s because the homes are too spread out, or they’re lining a busy road, or the neighbors are super cranky, some families just don’t live in neighborhoods that are great for trick-or-treating. There are a few sites out there known for rating the best trick-or-treating in the country, but we’ve done a little of own local research. All kids deserve a safe and candy-filled Halloween, so check out some of these family-friendly areas and events if you need an alternative.

For more Halloween-related fun, visit our Halloween Fun Guide and Event Calendar. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook!

Foliage on Foot: 10 Great Fall Hikes for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Fri, 10/06/2017 - 4:00pm

Despite this somewhat-wonky weather, it is officially fall and the leaves have begun to change. While fall foliage drives can be fun, bringing the kids on an outdoor hike has the added bonus of letting them burn off some energy.

We polled our writers and readers and have gathered up a list of some of our favorite places in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley to bring kids to hike for beautiful autumn views. (Does the word “hike” make you instinctually grimace? No worries—we’ve included some easy options for those who are used to seeing the leaves from behind a windshield.)

Be sure to consult our Fall Fun Guide for more seasonal activities, and follow us on Facebook.

October GoList: The Best Things to Do with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 09/29/2017 - 4:00pm

October is loaded with Halloween and fall fun, and there's no shortage of either in Westchester and the Hudson Valley! We've mentioned the best places to go apple and pumpkin picking, and we've rounded up fantastic fall festivals to check out, but there's even more fun to be had. Historic Hudson Valley shines this month with family-friendly Halloween events including the Great Jack O'Latern Blaze and other seasonal events happening all month long.

Not all the fun centers around seasonal events, however. There’s also the wildly popular Eastchester Columbus Day Carnival and Parade, family performances like the perennial favorite like The Magic Garden and the return of the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival, a bibliophile’s paradise.

With so many tremendous events this time of year, we barely scratch the surface here, so be sure to check our Event Calendar for many more options. Now grab your calendar and read on for the best events happening this month in Westchester and the Hudson Valley!

Westchester's Top Haunted Houses and Halloween Events for Kids

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Sat, 09/23/2017 - 4:00pm

Think you can handle the Creepy Morgue at Playland or survive the Haunt at Rocky Ledge? Whether you’re local or a daytripper, Westchester is a hot spot of exciting and fun (and terrifying!) Halloween happenings for children. We've collected some of the best frights, a couple ideas better suited for the younger ghouls, and a few fun parades in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Keep in mind that the listed age minimums are suggested by the event producers. You know your kid best—what’s no big deal to one grade-schooler could cause nightmares for weeks to another.

Farm Fun: 11 Hudson Valley Hayrides for Kids in the Fall

Submitted by Janine Annett on Fri, 09/22/2017 - 10:00am

It's autumn, and that means time for visits to pumpkin patches and apple orchards, eating doughnuts, drinking apple cider, and going on hayrides. The Lower Hudson Valley is rife with farm fun in the fall, including hayrides—many of which are free or at least included with the admission price.

We've gathered up some of our favorite farms and orchards with hayrides. For more ideas for kid-friendly autumn activities, sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

Fall Festival Fun in Lower Hudson Valley: Apples, Crafts, Petting Zoos

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Fri, 09/15/2017 - 4:00pm

Leaf peeping, apple picking and cider doughnuts! Yep, autumn is a beautiful, festive time of year in the Hudson Valley, offering plenty of fun seasonal things for kids to do, including hitting up some of the area's best fall events. We recently rounded up our favorite fall festivals in Westchester County, and now we're heading beyond the county lines to highlight even more wonderful kid-friendly fests.

Expect traditional activities like hayrides, pumpkin painting and live entertainment, as well as more elaborate celebrations, such as the 16th-century-themed New York Renaissance Faire. All these festivals make for a fantastic day trip. Looking for more ideas? Sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

Applefest 2017: A Hudson Valley Fall Festival Extravaganza

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Thu, 09/14/2017 - 3:00pm

Looking to get the most bang for you buck when it comes to celebrating fall? Consider Warwick's Applefest on Sunday, October 1, 2017—one of the Hudson Valley's biggest annual festivals. With arts and crafts, food, live music and a small carnival, you can truly "do fall" all in one day.

Now in its 29th year, Applefest draws in around 35,000 people each year from all over the tri-state area and beyond. Warwick is located about an hour from central Westchester and is ideal for an autumn family day trip. Read on for everything you need to know about this Hudson Valley extravaganza, including what's new for 2017 and tips for navigating the crowds.

Looking for more fall fun? Check our Fall Activity Guide and follow us on Facebook!

Where to Go Pumpkin Picking in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 9:00am

Autumn is in full swing and it's a beautiful time of year to be outdoors! We've told you all about the wonderful fall festivals and where to go apple picking. Now we're turning our attention to the great pumpkins.

We've rounded up our favorite places to go pumpkin picking in the Lower Hudson Valley. Sure, you can buy your pumpkins from the supermarket or your local farmer's market, but if you're looking for a more authentic experience, head to one of these nearby pumpkin patches. (Remember to contact the farms before heading out. Many are family owned and operated, and hours may change with little or no notice.)

Looking for more fall activities? Consult our Fall Fun Guide and follow us on Facebook.

Best Corn Mazes for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Mon, 09/11/2017 - 4:00pm

In our quest to find the best fall fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, we’ve located the best apple picking, the best autumn festivals and even the best cider doughnuts. So what’s left? Corn mazes!

All of the mazes on this list also offer other fall activities, enabling you to get a one-stop deal with plenty of all-day fun.

For even more ideas, be sure to check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook.

30 Awesome Things to Do with Westchester Preschoolers this Fall

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Thu, 09/07/2017 - 4:00pm

Not only is autumn ushered in with the start of school and the uncorking of champagne (just us?), but it also marks the chance to take part in such annual traditions as apple picking, pumpkin picking and Halloween celebrations. It also gives Westchester families one last opportunity to visit many outdoor activities before they close up shop for the winter.

We’ve gathered up our favorite things to do with preschoolers this fall in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and you can find even more options on our Event Calendar. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.